New Alpha-Audio M3 copy protection from Settec

Seoul, July 26, 2002 -- Settec, Inc., a Korean copy protection provider, has recently introduced new version of Alpha Audio copy protection, called M3 Type, and signed to apply its technology to upcoming music albums released by number of Korean record labels. Settec will be showcasing its improved and new version to the music industry at Popkomm 2002, Cologne, Germany.

Settec’s new M3 Type is consisted of audio session for music tracks and data session for custom player program. While this idea has been applied in the past, Alpha-Audio M3 Type adopts new technology; PC playing is enabled through direct access of original music tracks, not through compressed encrypted audio data files. "The benefits for this direct access feature are many. Previously, technologies have apparently used compressed audio files in the data session for PC playback, taking away disc space and shortening playing time. Now the disc space is considerably reduced to a minimum to accommodate only Settec’s custom player program. In addition, since M3 Type uses the original music tracks for PC playing, sound quality when played through PC will be the same as the original",said vice president of Settec, Donggyoo Kim.

Alpha-Audio M3 Type adds various other options. Digital signature and authentication process in the protected disc acts as an authentication key to connect to DRM (Digital Rights Management) service server. With P2P (Peer to Peer) option, legitimate CD buyers with same interests can interact together in a chatting room where one-way streaming service by labels are made possible to transfer artist’s additional information or advertisements real-time. And, M3 Type’s multimedia option enables artist’s music video or video clips to be played from the same music CD—also protected with Settec’s DXD multimedia copy protection technology. Settec proclaims its aim is to bridge the current music market into the future one by providing extra values and benefits to customers and by securely protecting these digital contents.

Lastly, M3 Type offers encrypted mp3 files encoding to personal PC from the original disc without internet connection. With this feature, consumers can listen to music on PC without the original disc and they can bring the CD and listen on their favorite music players such as car stereo or CD/DVD player. The encoded mp3 files cannot be transferred nor played in other computers.

4 user comments

well, this is sad. i'm korean and when soriblah blah shut down i was happy. korean music is nothing but american and european instrumentals with damned korean raps. it's true! I say "Stop korea, the true problem."

Thank you for the report.
Now, how do *you* feel about this new (or any similiar) copy protection scheme?
(Soliciting your opinion).
I will never knowingly purchase a DRM-inhibited music cd. I'm not even sure if such a crippled disc qualifies as "red book". I doubt it.
If I ever wind-up with an *unmarked* crippled disc (any scheme), and the clerk won't give me my money back when I return it to the store, I shall have to punch him right in the nose.
-- K.A. --

YOu can tell if an artist is in the biz by the way he/she sells their CD's. if their is a copy protection scheme then those asses are in it for the money. Copy protection should be banned because it violates my rights as a consumer. If, by a miracle, I buy a CD with some sort of copy protection, and i can't return it, then the store that sold it to me will go up in flames.